The Emperor’s New Clothes

◎ 許華峰/譯

The Emperor’s New Clothes

◎ 許華峰/譯

And now the Emperor himself wished to see the costly manufacture，while it was still in the loom．Accompanied by a select number of officers of the court，among whom were the two honest men who had already admired the cloth，he went to the crafty impostors，who，as soon as they were aware of the Emperor’s approach，went on working more diligently than ever；although they still did not pass a single thread through the looms．

“Is not the work absolutely magnificent？”said the two officers of the crown，already mentioned．“If your Majesty will only be pleased to look at it！What a splendid design！What glorious colors！”and at the same time they pointed to the empty frames；for they imagined that everyone else could see this exquisite piece of workmanship．

“How is this？”said the Emperor to himself．“I can see nothing！ This is indeed a terrible affair！Am I a simpleton，or am I unfit to be an Emperor？That would be the worst thing that could happen——Oh！ The cloth is charming，”said he，aloud．“It has my complete approbation．”And he smiled most graciously， and looked closely at the empty looms；for on no account would he say that he could not see what two of the officers of his court had praised so much．All his retinue now strained their eyes，hoping to discoversomething on the looms，butthey could see no more than the others；nevertheless，they all exclaimed，“Oh， how beautiful！”and advised his majesty to have some new clothes made from this splendid material，for the approaching procession．

“Magnificent！Charming！Excellent！”resounded on allsides；and everyone was uncommonly gay．The Emperorshared in the generalsatisfaction；and presented the impostors with the riband of an order of knighthood，to be worn in their button-holes，and the title of“Gentlemen Weavers．”

（To be continued …）

譯文

當這布還在織的時候，皇帝就很想親自去看一次。他選了一群特別圈定的隨員——其中包括已經(jīng)去看過的那兩位誠實的大臣。這樣，他就到那兩個狡猾的騙子住的地方去了。這兩個家伙正以全副精神織布，但是一根線的影子也看不見?！澳催@不漂亮嗎？”那兩位誠實的官員說?！氨菹抡埧?，多么美麗的花紋！多么美麗的色彩！”他們指著那架空空的織機，因為他們以為別人一定會看得見布料的。

“這是怎么一回事兒呢？”皇帝心里想?！拔沂裁匆矝]有看見！這真是荒唐！難道我是一個愚蠢的人嗎？難道我不配做皇帝嗎？這真是我從來沒有碰見過的一件最可怕的事情?！?/p>

“啊，它真是美極了！”皇帝說，“我表示十二分的滿意！”

于是他點頭表示滿意。他裝作很仔細地看著織機的樣子，因為他不愿意說出他什么也沒有看見。跟他來的全體隨員也仔細地看了又看，可是他們也沒有看出更多的東西。不過，他們也照著皇帝的話說：“啊，真是美極了！”他們建議皇帝用這種新奇的、美麗的布料做成衣服，穿上這衣服去參加快要舉行的游行大典?！罢婷利悾≌婢?！真是好極了！”每人都隨聲附和著。每人都有說不出的快樂?；实圪n給騙子每人一個爵士的頭銜和一枚可以掛在紐扣洞上的勛章；還封他們?yōu)椤坝缚棊煛薄?/p>

（未完待續(xù)……）

注釋

manufacture制造；產(chǎn)品；制造業(yè)

loom織布機

crafty狡猾的；靈巧的

impostor騙子；冒充者

diligently勤奮地；勤勉地

magnificent高尚的；壯麗的；華麗的

splendid輝煌的；燦爛的；極好的；

frame框架；結(jié)構(gòu)

exquisite精致的；細膩的；優(yōu)美的，

workmanship手藝，工藝

approbation認可；贊許；批準

graciously和藹地；仁慈地；雅致地

retinue隨行人員；扈從

strain拉緊；濫用

majesty威嚴；最高權(quán)威，王權(quán)

procession隊伍，行列

riband緞帶

knighthood騎士